John Kelly,
Assistant Director
| Southern Research Station
| 200 W.T. Weaver Blvd
| Asheville, NC 28804 |
Forest Values
Audio Welcome (mp3)
Welcome to the Forest Values, Uses and Policies Science Web page. I’m John Kelly, Assistant Director for Forest Values, Uses and Policies research at the Southern Research Station.
This science area deals with a wide spectrum of issues that cut across all forest lands in the South. The science area contains diverse disciplines that deal with interactions between people and forest ecosystems, and the resulting effects on both the forests and the benefits obtained from people using the forests.
The Forest Values, Uses and Policies science area is divided into four major disciplines or categories of research. more...
Perhaps the principle characteristics of Southern forests are the dominance of private ownerships, the continued importance of forests to the economy, and the rapidly expanding urban population. The Southern area constitutes 29 percent of the U.S. forests, but provides 64 percent of the total timber harvested. The South contains 33 percent of the U.S. population, and since 2000 is the fastest growing region of the country. This population places additional demands on forests of the region, with an extensive wildland-urban interface.
To address issues associated with these unique needs, this science area focuses research on the following topics:
- Improving understanding of how forest management issues affect economic, social, and ecological values;
- Developing tools and options for landowners to address sustainability issues;
- Evaluating options for landowners to expand and diversify returns through management; and
- Developing technology to efficiently use woody biomass for bioenergy, traditional wood products, and other uses.
The accomplishment of this research mission requires collaboration with many partners, both within and outside the Forest Service, and both private and public organizations.
Thank you for visiting the Forest Values, Uses and Policies Web page.
Forest Values. Natural resources and humans are inextricably linked in the South. These linkages will only strengthen as increased urbanization, globalization, and shifting values influence and alter how people interact with forests. Forest Values, Uses, and Policies will provide the knowledge and tools required to manage impacts and optimize benefits of human-forest interactions. Complete Charter...